The Cycles of Change team is excited and grateful to be completing another year of impactful work in our community. This year marks our 25th year of bicycle advocacy and transportation justice work in East Oakland. Not only that, it marks our 25th year of being a collectively run organization!

Being a collectively run and BIPOC-led organization is at the heart of all that we do, and we think it is special that we have made it this far. We choose to engage in collective work year after year because it is a way for us to put our beliefs into action. We believe that change comes from pushing back against hierarchical norms and reminding each other that we can do it ourselves, because within our community, we already have all the knowledge and skills that we need. Our staff is committed to this work not only for our love of bikes, but for our dedication to this community that, for many of us, reflects our own roots, upbringings, and values so closely.

In the spirit of collectivism and community, our goal for this year’s winter sustainer drive is to reach 100 monthly sustainers, or as they’re known at Cycles, Pedal Power Sustainers. Our Pedal Power Sustainers are truly the wind at our backs, cheering us on as we look to a future where everyone has access to cycling as a safe, affordable, and habitual method of transportation.

Can you help us reach our goal of 100 monthly sustainers by joining the Pedal Power Sustainers today? We are only 23 away! Reaching 100 Pedal Power Sustainers in our 25th year of work would be an incredible boost for us as we continue to pedal hard to spread equitable bike access for youth and communities of color in East Oakland and beyond.

COME RIDE WITH US!!

Our Collectives Community Ride will be from 10am-2pm on February 10th, starting and ending at the MacArthur Bart Station in Oakland. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up on our Eventbrite to secure your burrito! In case of rain, the ride will be postponed until the following Saturday, February 17.

THE CYCLES OF CHANGE PEDAL POWER SUSTAINER CIRCLE

Do you love Cycles of Change’s mission and want to take your involvement to the next level? We’d love for you to join our Cycles Pedal Power Sustainers, a growing and dedicated group of amazing humans who are committed supporting Cycles of Change in expanding equitable bike access across the East Bay. With a monthly contribution of as little as $5, you can deepen your commitment to Cycles’ transportation justice and youth empowerment work while becoming a part of the Cycles Pedal Power Sustainers community and gaining access to special Cycles stories and perks!

Our monthly Power Pedal Sustainers share the inspiration behind their support for Cycles of Change's transformative work. Join the conversation and be part of the cycling movement for a better world.

AN E-LECTRICYING RAD POWER'ed SUSTAINER INCENTIVE

Rad News! Want to win a Rad Power Bike? We are partnering with Rad Power Bikes again! ALL new and existing monthly sustainers will be entered in our Winter Campaign raffle for the chance to win the RAD RUNNER2, valued at $1,299!

In addition to the fun gifts listed above, monthly sustainers will earn one raffle ticket for every $10/month given. Our goal is to reach 100 monthly sustainers by January 27, 2024. This means that we need 23 amazing humans to sign up to make a monthly impact on bicycle access in the East Bay. Can you be the wind at our backs to reach 100 sustainers?

Please consider joining Pedal Power Sustainers Circle today! Raffle winner will be announced February 1, 2024! Winner will pick bike up at Rad Power Bikes Berkeley #PowerOfThePedal

YOUR CONTRIBUTION MAKES A BIG IMPACT!

Consistent and reliable monthly donations allow us to support ten thousand East Bay residents every year. This year we are celebrating 25 years of bicycle advocacy and transportation justice work in our community. We are strengthening our commitment to our mission by nurturing long-standing relationships with nearby schools and community partners, providing internships and employment to local youth, and ensuring that our programs are sustainable and responsive to our community’s immediate and long-term needs. Join the Cycles of Change Pedal Power Sustainers and play a crucial role in expanding bike access in communities of color in East Oakland and beyond!

A SNAPSHOP OF OUR IMPACT:

We continue our commitment to serving our community. Here are some numbers:

435 | 1,300 👉🏼 435 bikes sold and 1,300 bikes repaired - not including free bikes & services.

3,000 👉🏽 individuals and families served out of the Bikery.

1,250 👉🏾 work hours provided to 3 transitional aged youth employees.

6,600 👉🏿 students throughout Oakland and across Alameda County experienced our in-school bike safety and leadership development.

Want to see what your commitment to our work means for us and to our community? Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve been able to accomplish recently: Cycles of Change Annual Report

How can you make an even bigger impact? Easy! Share our campaign and encourage your friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, boses to make a flat donation by clicking on the Donate button on our campaign page or text-to-donate RECOMMIT24 to 53-555 for a direct link - try it!

Every donation ensures communities continue to pedal forward!

CORPORATE MATCHING

Many companies offer corporate matching for any contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations. Check your company intranet or benefits for details on the company matching process. Here is some information you may require for company matching:

Organization: Cycles of Change

Cycles of Change EIN: 11-3821114

Address: 1246 23rd Street, Oakland CA 94606

We would appreciate taking the time to check as this is the single most effective way to double (or more) your impact.

CYCLES STORY

Cycles of Change was founded in July 1998 as an afterschool bicycle education program aimed at reversing the root causes of youth violence. Since then, Cycles has become a well-known presence in East Oakland, with beginners’ ride training, advanced bicycle adventures, school-based bike safety education, and bicycle restoration workshops for hundreds of East Bay youth and community members.

In September of 2009, Cycles of Change started the Bikery, a community bike shop located less than half mile from the East Oakland school where we started. The Bikery offers used sliding scale bikes for sale, full service repairs, and earn-a-bike programs for youth.

In recent years, Cycles of Change’s work has been in high demand as more and more people seek to lessen their dependence on gas-powered vehicles. We continue to place the success and well-being of our home community first, while working to expand our programs across the East Bay and reach as many residents as possible. In the 2022-23 school year, we reached over 7,000 students in our bike safety program, repaired and sold over 1,500 bikes at the Bikery, and provided dozens of community members with free bikes, helmets and locks, all while remaining committed to maintaining an equitable and empowering environment for our staff, interns, and program participants.

Recommit to Community for Another 25 years!

Seeking MONTHLY SUSTAINERS to grow bike access for East Oakland and beyond!